favorite movie #49: pom poko

Favorite movies that have had an impact on me - #49 - Pom Poko (1994) - My mom was a huge fan of Japanese anime, especially work from Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. We found this movie at the library, after we blew through all the Miyazaki films and were trying to find some new anime to watch. It is a long, rambling, but ultimately powerful take on urban sprawl and the environment. The tanuki, or raccoon dogs who are the primary focus of the film, are finding their habitat encroached upon by the growing human population of Tokyo. Director Isao Takahata portrays the tanuki as fun-loving, mischievous, war-mongering, affectionate, magical, shape-shifting creatures. Different styles of anime portray the tanuki in their different states and moods, and add to the overall epic look of the film. There really isn't anything else out there like Pom Poko. It is so much more than a cartoon. It is a thoughtful, visually rich, at times sad film that can be revisited again and again.

Related:

two (very different) animated tales of animal survival
grave of the fireflies
paprika 's dream world
arrietty is like walking inside a painting

hatsume festival

Last weekend we went to the Morikami Museum to the Hatsume festival.

There were karate kids, anime kids,

and my kid ...

... in the beautiful setting.

Unfortunately the line for the cafe was so long we weren't able to get a bento box, but we had a fun time regardless. It shouldn't be as crowded this weekend. Hmmm ...

Related articles

• Despite shadow of Japan's tragedy, Morikami still colorful, celebrative at Hatsume Fair (pbpulse.com)